UPDATE

HELPING HAND – Wise County deputies will be on patrol in Hood County today to cover law enforcement duties for Hood County officers who will attend the funeral of slain deputy Lance McLean in Hico. McLean died Saturday in a Fort Worth hospital after being shot by a gunman who was later killed by officers on the Granbury town square. Sheriff David Walker said his department’s honor guard would take part in the funeral at the Hico High School football stadium and that several other local officers would attend the service. The two-man Wise County patrol unit will work in Hood County until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

CATCHING DRUNK DRIVERS – The no refusal campaign to deter drunk drivers starts tomorrow in Wise County and runs through July 7. If a driver is arrested during this time for driving while intoxicated and won’t willingly provide a breath or blood specimen, a warrant will be sought to obtain a sample of blood and test the blood-alcohol concentration. This is the fifth year County Attorney James Stainton has organized the effort. “We’re trying to bring awareness to the situation,” he said. “You can drink. You can party. Just don’t drive. It’s as simple as it can be.” The no refusal campaign was featured in a story in the weekend Wise County Messenger.

BOOK SIGNING – Local author Julia Heaberlin’s second book, “Lie Still” will be released today. She will discuss the book and sign copies of her latest thriller at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Decatur Public Library. Copies of the book will be available for purchase that evening with proceeds benefiting the Decatur Library Foundation. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about this or other Decatur Public Library events, call Library Director Pat Peters at 940-393-0290 or email ppeters@decaturtx.org.

RAINFALL TOTALS SLIM AGAIN – For the fifth straight months, rainfall totals were below normal for the month. Weather watcher Doyle Green in Decatur recorded 3.21 inches of rain for the month, more than an inch below the normal 4.25 inches for the month. For the year, we’ve received 17.74 inches compared to 20.87 inches we normally see for the first six months of the year. Temperatures ranged from a high of 103 on June 28 to a low of 56 on June 7.

COOL SCHOOL – The Bridgeport Public Library presents a storytelling program “Cool School with Ms. Maria” at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ms. Maria’s talent with stories includes portions in Spanish, and she might even be persuaded to share a song.

BACK THE BLUE – Decatur Police Department is having a Back the Blue Co-ed Softball Tournament Saturday, July 13, at Kenny Renshaw Park in Decatur. Registration deadline is Monday, July 8, and cost is $175 per team. T-shirts are available for $15. Proceeds benefit Sgt. Delvon Campbell’s family who lost their home and belongings in a recent fire. For more information, call Chief Rex Hoskins or Officer Victor Monjaraz at 940-393-0300.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT – The regular meeting of the Wise County Alzheimer’s Support Group is 7 tonight in the board room of the Wise Regional West Campus. The date has been changed from the first Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday. For more information, call Angie at (940) 627-6888.

TRASH PICK-UP – Trash pick-up in the city of Decatur will continue as normal this week. The schedule will not be impacted by the Fourth of July holiday.

JURY TRIAL RESCHEDULED – The jury trial scheduled for today in Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Mandy Hays’ courtroom has been moved to 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9.

BRIDGEPORT CITY COUNCIL – The Bridgeport City Council will have a budget workshop at 6 p.m. preceding the regular 7 p.m. meeting during which officials will consider renaming Doctors Hospital Drive and approving three airport hangar transfers. During workshop at the end of the meeting, the council will discuss the uses of Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars, updated airport guidelines outlined by the Texas Department of Transportation, additional amendments to the solicitation ordinance and spraying for mosquitoes.

CHICO CITY COUNCIL – The Chico City Council will meet at 7 tonight at city hall. The meeting will include the KSA wastewater treatment plant contract, replacement of police items and regular department reports.

FUNERALS – Graveside service for Jesse E. Johnson Jr., 77, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. today at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for Ima Belknap, 91, of Alvord is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sycamore Baptist Church with burial at Sycamore Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

GRAVESIDE service for Valerie A. Tartaglino, 66, of Alvord will be private. Coker-Hawkins is handling arrangements.

GRAVESIDE service for Cecilia Holloway, 86, of Sunset is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Espuela Cemetery in Spur. Coker-Hawkins is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for Kristopher Lee Sugg, 34, of Alvord is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Flatwood Baptist Church with burial at Alvord Cemetery. Family visitation is 10 a.m.-noon Thursday at Coker-Hawkins.

SERVICE for Kenneth Graham, 48, of Rhome is pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.